Very interesting. Not your average horror film.

Rating: Null/10 (27 October 2003)

As the title of this review suggests, this is not your typical "Night of the Living Dead" clone horror movie. Yes, the film shares all of the typical "Resident Evil" stylings, from a bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape to hordes of mindless humanoids who want nothing more than to destroy all that comes near them. But there's more to this film than zombies and the obligatory expendable cast-members.
Unlike virtually every horror film of this same genre that I've seen, this one has a conscience. Sure, the later "Dead" movies ("Dawn of the Dead" and "Day of the Dead") try to do this somewhat, but neither of those films ever struck any kind of emotional chord with me.
Perhaps it's the despairing soundtrack, used to excellent effect (no cheesy orchestral "hits" to startle you when a monster jumps out, no pounding, frenetic fanfare as the leads are chased by a horde of monsters), or maybe it was the script. Or perhaps it's the rather original idea that takes a more intriguing look at the darker side of human nature (IE: rage).
Honestly, though, for me, the biggest departure in this film from the typical post-apocalyptic or horror film (or mix of the two as we have here) is the real human impact of such an experience. The survival instinct, the need for human emotional interaction (IE: love or a familial bond), the sense of despair that the characters feel, as well as the confusion in the face of such a disaster are all present in this film.
!!SPOILER WARNING!! READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE PLOT POINTS REVEALED!!!!!!
The film's more poignant depictions of this are most notable to me in four particular vignettes, two of which are closely related (so I'll group them together).
1.) At the start of the film when Mark becomes infected and Selena ruthlessly kills him, and at the end of the film, where Jim kills the would-be rapist soldier, we are shown that our main characters are capable of the same brutality that the infected are. To me, this illustrates a key point of the film: the infected are not so different from the healthy, in that the uninfected still have the same capacity for rage and violence, at least in order to survive and protect their own.
2.) As one of the more incompetent soldiers lies dying on the mansion's floor, the otherwise despicable Colonel holds his hand and reassures him. To me, this scene illustrates the flip-side of the above vignettes: even those uninfected who may tend towards brutality are capable of compassion and tenderness.
3.) And the moment when this movie truly distinguished itself from others of its kind is when Frank becomes infected, and as he feels the symptoms begin to overcome him, turns to his daughter and tells her that he loves her very much. While in print it may sound hackneyed, when you watch the film, it really strikes you. Or at least it struck me.

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It's moments like the above that helped make this film hit home more than just your average zombie horror film. I recommend it.

***1/2 out of *****